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Rafael Carvalho

Rafael Carvalho
Born Rafael Carvalho de Souza
(1986-07-27) July 27, 1986 (age 30)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other names The Blessed
Nationality Brazilian
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division Middleweight
Reach 78.0 in (198 cm)
Fighting out of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Team Madison Team
Siam Team MMA College
Noguchi Team
LA Sports
Years active 2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 15
Wins 14
By knockout 11
By decision 3
Losses 1
By submission 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rafael Carvalho de Souza (born July 27, 1986) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the middleweight division of Bellator MMA. He is the current Middleweight Champion.

Carvalho made his professional mixed martial arts debut against Julio Cesar Araujo Fernandes on December 17, 2011 at Samurai FC 6. Carvalho lost the fight via submission in the first round. Following the loss, Carvalho went on a nine-fight unbeaten streak that included a unanimous decision win over Gustavo Machado that won him the Smash Fight middleweight championship, before signing with Bellator MMA.

Carvalho was expected to make his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Anthony Ruiz on September 19, 2014 at Bellator 125. However, after an injury to Brett Cooper, Carvalho stepped up and faced Brian Rogers in the co-main event. Despite being a significant betting underdog, Carvalho won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the first round.

Carvalho faced kickboxing veteran Joe Schilling on April 10, 2015 at Bellator 136. He won the fight by split decision.

Carvalho faced Brandon Halsey in the main event at Bellator 144 for the vacant Bellator Middleweight Championship on October 23, 2015. Carvalho stopped Halsey via a body kick in the second round in an upset. Halsey dominated the first round on the ground; almost finishing Carvalho with an arm-triangle choke. With the comeback victory, Carvalho became the first fighter to defeat Halsey.


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